ORMOC CITY – Continuing the tradition observed every Christmas season, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) conducts an outreach program with the theme: “Give the Gift of Love This Christmas”.

Contributions were made by the Leyte 4th DEO employees in an effort to support Rosemary’s Home of Hope and Hayag Charitable Association which are havens for abandoned children, the Ormoc Holy Family Foundation, which provides assistance to the elderly, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office, which targets the welfare of out-of-school youth.

OIC-District Engineer Rosita A. Tinawin and OIC-Assistant District Engineer Peter Scheler V. Soco spearheaded the donation of a range of essential items, including canned goods, medicines, sacks of rice, kitchen needs, hygiene kits, wheelchair for the elderly, and school supplies for the children.

The DPWH – Leyte 4th DEO aims to inspire through such acts of kindness and highlight the inherent value of reaching out to those less fortunate. The act of giving goes beyond meeting immediate material needs; it nurtures a sense of community, compassion, and goodwill. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY-Filipino environmental activists held another round of protest action in front of the Japanese Embassy to oppose Japan’s “dirty energy strategy ‘Green Transformation,’ that promotes gas and LNG projects in Asia.”

“Japan is the world’s largest provider of public finance for gas and LNG projects, at the cost of ASEAN’s energy security. Its ‘Green Transformation’ (GX) policy is a massive investment strategy that promotes LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, and other false solutions that exacerbate – rather than solve – the climate crisis,” said Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), on December 15, 2023.

APMDD, together with its partners from the Fossil Free Japan coalition, staged the rally as the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation commemorated its 50th anniversary in Tokyo from December 16 to 18.

“The Tokyo Summit provides an opportunity for Japan to start meeting their historical obligations to their citizens and to the Global South. However, their current energy strategy only benefits the corporate interests and not the people and communities of ASEAN,” Nacpil said.

“This kind of energy strategy only causes more harm and dangers from the impacts of and the uncertain future of the climate crisis,” she added.

Chanting “Japan, Don’t Gas Asia!” the organizers denounced Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration “for continuing to be the world’s top public financier of fossil fuels.”

In a statement, APMMD maintained that “Japan’s harmful tactics and wrong policies that promote dirty energy are doing irreversible damage to a region that already suffers the effects of climate change.”

They also underscored that Japan’s influence in the Southeast Asian region means a possibility of Japan exporting more fossil fuel projects in their region.

Simultaneous rallies were held to for the climate campaigners to show “fierce resistance” to Japan’s “dirty energy strategy and the promotion of false solutions which it upholds under the guise of ‘decarbonizing Asia.’”

Sharif Jamil, coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, noted that “Japan is risking its reputation by continuing to fund dirty fossil fuels and being the top financier of LNG worldwide.

“It should make the crucial decision of phasing them all out and build an ambitious goal towards 100% renewable energy,” he said in a statement.

Rere Christanto, WALHI’s Campaign Manager on Mining and Energy, added that “Indonesia absolutely refuses to be a playground for Japan’s dirty technologies like fossil hydrogen and ammonia.

“The only future we see is one with renewable energy,” the campaign manager added.
According to APMDD, Japan “is the world’s second largest provider of public finance for fossil fuel projects, investing $9.7 billion into coal, gas and oil annually from 2017 to 2021.”
Citing a report from Center, Energy, Ecology and Development, APMDD said Japan “is the second-biggest financier of gas expansion in Southeast Asia, spending around $15 billion between 2016 and 2022.”
(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte Second District Engineering Office (L2DEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has moved to its new office.
From its previous office in Carigara for many years, the district now hold office in MacArthur town.

“We would like to inform the public, especially the stakeholders of the second district of Leyte, that all transactions and operations of L2DEO are now in the new office location in Mac Arthur, Leyte,” said District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura.

L2DEO caters to the 14 municipalities of the second congressional district of the province, namely: Pastrana, Tabontabon, La Paz, Julita, Burauen, Dagami, Jaro, and Tunga that straddle the midsection of the province of Leyte, then Dulag, Mayorga, and Mac Arthur on the coastlines of Leyte Gulf, while Barugo, Carigara, and Capoocan hug the shoreline of Carigara Bay.

“The district office will always stay true to its commitment to providing infrastructure facilities and services to meet the needs of the people. And, as frontliners during calamities, our services will always be guaranteed at all costs to ease the burden on the communities,” Oppura added.

Oppura also challenge his fellow workers in the district to perform well or better especially that they are in their new office.

The Leyte 2nd DEO was created by virtue of Department Order No. 10 dated January 20, 1997, composed of detailed budgetary employees from the Leyte 1st, Leyte 5th, and Regional Offices.

Leyte 2nd DEO maintain a national equivalent road length of 206.985 kilometers, of which 93.848 kilometers were concreted and 110.554 kilometers were asphalted, and 55 bridges with a total length of 2.583 kilometers.

Furthermore, for consistently providing quality service standards to the general public, the district office was granted ISO 9001:2015 certification in April 2015. And was reclassified from a 2nd class to a 1st class engineering office by virtue of Department Order No. 17, Series of 2019, dated December 17, 2019.

The total construction cost of the building amounted to P52 million.

(LIZBETH ANN A ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY– Within the revered walls of gyms across the globe, an unassuming sport firmly commands the spotlight, sculpting physiques of steel and fortifying spirits of unwavering strength. Despite often being overshadowed by its more mainstream counterparts, powerlifting is undergoing a renaissance, attracting enthusiasts from all corners of society with its captivating allure.

Powerlifting consists of three primary disciplines: squat, bench press, and deadlift, all of which demand physical and mental fortitude. Unlike other sports, powerlifting does not involve flashy routines or choreographed moves. Instead, it’s all about surmounting seemingly impossible obstacles through sheer strength.

Matthew Caharop, an 18-year-old student from Tacloban City, embarked on his powerlifting journey to the top as a mere leisure activity in the gym. He sought to challenge his endurance and push the boundaries of personal improvement. Little did he know that this pursuit would lead him to become a champion on the international stage.

“I started going to the gym as a leisure activity with my friends. We began weightlifting, gradually increasing the weight plates. As we progressed, my friends and I decided to participate in our first local powerlifting competition in Tacloban. It was a great opportunity for us to test our abilities and decide whether to continue, as we sometimes get injured. I realized my potential in this sport as I invested time and interest, and it eventually became a full-blown sport for me,” Matthew expressed.

Matthew embarked on the global stage at the 2023 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Classic and Equipped Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, from August 24 to September 3, 2023. He emerged victorious in the deadlift sub-junior category and was crowned the 3rd overall champion.

His victory did not end there. He recently set a record at the 2023 Asian Classic Powerlifting Championship held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, from December 12-18, 2023. Competing in the men’s 59 kg sub-junior category, he lifted a total of 517 kilograms, winning the gold medal in both the squat and overall lift categories. Additionally, he earned a silver medal in the deadlift and a bronze medal in the bench press.

Powerlifting is a journey that encompasses both physical prowess and mental and emotional fortitude. The athletes who take on the barbell challenge are not only conquering weights but also their fears, doubts, and limitations.

When asked on his thoughts about powerlifting, he shared, “It’s more like a way of expressing myself by transcending my limits on what the human body and mind can do. It is also a way of expressing myself by defying the odds and being dealt a bad hand, but you still prove that whatever unlucky situation you are in, you can still pull through.”

Matthew faced a challenging situation during his powerlifting tournament in Malaysia. He was not feeling his best, as he was panicking, fatigued, and dehydrated. To make matters worse, he had given in to the temptation of eating chocolates the night before the tournament and gained weight. Fortunately, the committee allowed Matthew to postpone his match for less than two hours to recover from his condition.

He reminisced about his tournaments and mentioned Bahrain as his most formidable competitor in powerlifting competitions in both Malaysia and Bahrain.

Matthew meticulously analyzed his opponent’s moves and weightlifting attempts, outsmarting them by exceeding the target weight. “I placed Bahrain on a pedestal in my mind. I thought that Bahrain was stronger than me. I respected him and deemed him a worthy opponent.”

In the end, Matthew shared his insights on the importance of believing in oneself and the ability to achieve one’s desired goals despite all the obstacles that come along the way. Additionally, he provided some valuable tips on powerlifting, such as investing in quality equipment, finding a reliable coach, and following a strict powerlifting regime.

Matthew’s story goes beyond mere medals and records. It embodies the true essence of powerlifting – a constant and unwavering pursuit of personal improvement. His journey is a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication and the right mindset. Aspiring lifters and fitness enthusiasts can draw inspiration from his transformation – from a novice to a world-class athlete.
(MMP/AAC/PIA Leyte)